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The evolution of chloroplasts in eukaryotes showcases a complex history of endosymbiotic events leading to a diversity of membrane structures. Primary chloroplasts, with a double membrane, originated from cyanobacteria. Secondary chloroplasts, with additional membranes, arose from eukaryotic cells engulfing photosynthetic algae. This process involved genetic integration and, in some cases, the retention of a nucleomorph. Chloroplasts derived from green and red algae exhibit unique characteristics, such as pyrenoids and starch storage, contributing to the wide range of photosynthetic capabilities and pigmentation in different organisms.
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Primary chloroplasts originated from a symbiotic relationship with a cyanobacterial ancestor and are surrounded by a double membrane
Genetic Integration and Nucleomorph Presence
The secondary endosymbiotic event that gave rise to complex chloroplasts involved significant genetic integration and the retention of a nucleomorph between the inner and outer chloroplast membranes
Green Algal Derived Chloroplasts
Secondary chloroplasts can originate from either green or red algae, with green algal derived chloroplasts found in diverse eukaryotic groups and often containing structures called pyrenoids
Red Algal Derived Chloroplasts
Red algal derived chloroplasts are present in several eukaryotic groups and have features such as triplet thylakoids and the ability to store sugars outside the chloroplast
Alveolates and dinophytes display a remarkable diversity of chloroplast types, with some containing nonphotosynthetic chloroplasts and others acquiring new types through tertiary endosymbiosis
Green algal derived chloroplasts are found in diverse eukaryotic groups and often contain structures called pyrenoids
Red algal derived chloroplasts are present in several eukaryotic groups and have features such as triplet thylakoids and the ability to store sugars outside the chloroplast
Alveolates and dinophytes display a remarkable diversity of chloroplast types, with some containing nonphotosynthetic chloroplasts and others acquiring new types through tertiary endosymbiosis
Different chloroplast types have unique ways of storing and accumulating photosynthetic products, such as euglenophyte chloroplasts storing paramylon in the cytoplasm
Chloroplasts from different lineages have varying pigmentation and thylakoid arrangements, with cryptophyte chloroplasts having four membranes and thylakoids arranged in stacks of two
Some mixotrophic protists temporarily utilize chloroplasts from ingested algae, known as kleptoplasty, to exploit their photosynthetic capabilities for their own nutritional needs
00
______ are specialized organelles in plants and algae that convert light energy into chemical energy.
Chloroplasts
01
The initial chloroplasts arose from a symbiotic relationship with an ancestor of ______.
cyanobacteria
02
Primary chloroplasts are characterized by a ______ membrane structure.
double
